Thursday, October 20, 2011

Food Photography: From Snapshots to Great Shots is a great book for those who are interested in getting started in food photography for fun or as a career. I felt that this was a great book from start to finish that covered everything the beginner or intermediate would want to know in a nice concise way with plenty of examples. Some users might want a bit more depth, but I’d consider this a great appetizer to get started with the joy of food photography.

Chapter by Chapter Walkthrough

Photography Fundamentals – This book is really geared for the newbie. Most will be able to skip this chapter, but its short so if you have a few minutes then read it anyway.

Photography Equipment – This book as a Canon bias but what the author says here can be applied to any photography platform. Naturally I think I have better advice for you here on this blog, but some might find the logic as to how certain products work well for food photography to be very useful.

Lighting – This is an excellent chapter that features diagrams and tools of the trade needed to get great food photo shots. This is one you won’t want to miss.

Styling and Props – Unlike most food photographers who go through major lengths to make the food look its best (even if its unrealistic and inedible), the author gives you some practical tips on how to make your evening dinner look great for a quick shoot before you eat it. She also has great tips that still preserve the integrity of the product but enhance the appearance.

Framing and Composition – I enjoyed Nicole’s photos and felt that her lighting and composition was excellent on many shots. In this chapter she shares her thought process and details to help you get drastically better results.

Behind the Scenes – This is a real solid chapter because Nicole pours through her workflow from start to finish including outtake shots, diagrams and photos of her configurations. This is the chapter you want to skim through in the bookstore to get yourself jazzed about getting this fun book.

Conclusion

I enjoyed Food Photography: From Snapshots to Great Shots so much that I couldn’t put this book down once I started it. I highly recommend it for those who are shooting because they enjoy photography and those would love to get photos of some of their favorite foods. The photos are great, basic photo info is included, and its easy to quickly pick up some great tips.